All fish / Fundulidae

Longnose Killifish

Fundulus similis

Also known as longnose killifish, long-nosed killifish, longnose mummichog, bull minnow, gulf killifish, 长吻底鳉

A slim, pointed-snouted killifish with an olive to silvery body crossed by thin dark vertical bars, which are more numerous in females. It lives on shallow sandy shores and salt marshes, and is kept by native fish and brackish water enthusiasts for its hardiness and active behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

15 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more, ideally with more females than males

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans, bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and quality pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the USA and northeastern Mexico, from Florida to Texas and Tamaulipas

Breeding

Eggs are scattered over sand or vegetation in shallow water during spring and summer, often timed with high tides. It has been spawned in captivity but raising fry needs live foods and stable brackish conditions.

Good to know

Needs brackish to marine water and cool to warm temperatures, and may eat very small tankmates. Wild collection may be regulated in some US states, as it is widely used as bait.